Notes: Apple renames iTunes store, acquires Cover Flow

Apple has renamed its iTunes Music Store. Meanwhile, some of the software technology used in iTunes 7 was developed outside of the company. And accessory makers gain access to latest iPod dimensions.

New names for iTunes store

Though minor in detail, Apple on Tuesday formally altered the name of its iTunes Music Store, renaming it simply the "iTunes Store." The new name reflects the broader assortment of media content, such as movies and games, now being sold through the service.

Apple had settled on the name change much earlier, according to tipsters. About two months ago all iTunes Music Store support employees received a news bulletin stating that the store was to be referred to as the "iTunes Store" from there on out. With the release of iTunes 7, the change is official.

Apple acquires CoverFlow

In related news, iTunes 7 includes a feature called Cover Flow, which Apple purchased from a small software developer named Steel Skies.

"We are pleased to announce that all CoverFlow technology and intellectual property was recently sold to Apple," reads a message on the Steel Skies site. "It has been incorporated into the latest version of iTunes."

With iTunes 7 and Cover Flow, users can flip through their digital music and video collection just as they would CDs.

New iPod dimensions

Over on its developer site, Apple has released product dimensions for parties interested in developing an accessory for its new iPod models.

The new second generation iPod nano is 40 millimeters wide by 90 millimeters tall by 6.5 millimeters thick. Comparatively, the first generation nano was 40 millimeters wide by 90 millimeters tall by 6.9 millimeters thick.

That's really interesting. From the pictures they looked a little thicker. Goes to show you the value of the Apple retail stores. So I'm asssuming the weight went up (since I don't think Steve mentioned it)

Nice that Apple bought the software, giving the developers something for their work. Given the developer's website has a Kyuss album cover being shown I can only imagine what that money is being spent on

I'm used to using the abbreviation "iTMS" to refer to the online entity through which Apple sells music (and now videos and whatnot). Does this mean I should start using "iTS" instead? That just doesn't work for me. \

Apple really knows how to keep things simple. Ever since Apple started to sell videos (still music?) there have been posts about whether the name "iTunes Music Store" should be changed and to what. Apple, on the other hand, decided to just drop "Music" from the name and leaving us with "iTunes Store" which I think is better. iTunes, the player, is the "OS" of Apple's entertainment strategy.

Apple really knows how to keep things simple. Ever since Apple started to sell videos (still music?) there have been posts about whether the name "iTunes Music Store" should be changed and to what. Apple, on the other hand, decided to just drop "Music" from the name and leaving us with "iTunes Store" which I think is better. iTunes, the player, is the "OS" of Apple's entertainment strategy.

Nice that Apple bought the software, giving the developers something for their work. Given the developer's website has a Kyuss album cover being shown I can only imagine what that money is being spent on

It shows that Apple does benefit developers if Apple sees their work to be original, and not based upon their own ideas, no matter how old.

CoverFlow in iTunes 7 is nice, but the new advanced browser modes only works in the library, and not on connected devices (such as iPods)... which is crap, cuz I've got all my music on my iPod, and none on my computer. So these new browser modes do me nothing

(I've got a powerbook, that's why I can't have any music on my hard drive.. it's full of work, all the time, and Photoshop is eating gig after gig each time I work with it.. so.. )

I'm used to using the abbreviation "iTMS" to refer to the online entity through which Apple sells music (and now videos and whatnot). Does this mean I should start using "iTS" instead? That just doesn't work for me. \

They could have changed to iTunes Media Store in my opinion. So we could keep the acronym.

They could have changed to iTunes Media Store in my opinion. So we could keep the acronym.

I was thinking the same thing, but then remembered that media also means blank recordable media, so they may have wanted to prevent the confusion some might get trying to find it on the site, or having it show during Google media searches.

I was thinking the same thing, but then remembered that media also means blank recordable media, so they may have wanted to prevent the confusion some might get trying to find it on the site, or having it show during Google media searches.

How about iTunes Mega Store? iTunes Music and other stuff Store? iTunes Monetary Siphon?

I think that there is too much name power behind iTunes to cut it from the store name. Though it obviously doesn't fit the current if you think about the make-up of the word; the fact is that "iTunes" (the term) is now defining the store and the whole user experience, not the other way around.